Brentwood parade brings community together

Sue Rivera has been coming to the St. Patrick’s parade in Brentwood all of her life and has marched in it for the last 12 years.

And the annual parade on Saturday was no different.

“The parade is very multicultural now, and it’s something the community needs,” said Rivera, of Brentwood. “It’s a positive day for Brentwood where everyone comes out together, we've got to keep it here.”

Gathered along the street were family, friends and neighbors, sharing in old stories and having a laugh or two.

Christina Lockwood brought her 6-month-old daughter, Francesca, to the parade for her first time and so she can take part in the tradition her friends and family have started.

“We’ve lived here all of our lives, and we all come together” said Lockwood. “My mother was driving her 1976 Corvette in the parade today, it’s really family-oriented and it brings us all together.”

For some residents, the St. Patrick’s parade is a family tradition.

Veronica Anderson, a resident of Ronkonkoma, is there every year to watch her father march with the American Legion. This year, she came with her own family, and they all marched together.

“We’ve been coming for a long time,” said Anderson. “And the kids really love the parade, it’s a family thing.”

Some parade goers even brought the four-legged members of their families to partake in the festivities.

Holly Nolan, a teacher at South Middle School in Brentwood, brought her dog, Drayco, along because she thought he would like all of the action.

“This is the first time I’ve come to the parade here, and I figured that I would bring Drayco,” Nolan said. “He likes hanging out and he loves people.”